§ 5-18. Notice and sale of impounded livestock.

(a)

If the owner of any livestock impounded pursuant hereto is unknown or if the owner has no residence in the parish, a statement shall be filed with the sheriff setting forth:

(1)

The name and address of the person taking up the livestock;

(2)

A description of the livestock as to kind, sex, marks, brand, color and apparent age;

(3)

The place of taking up and the place where the livestock is impounded;

(4)

The amount of charges due for feeding and caring for the livestock;

(5)

The amount of the fee for taking the livestock.

The sheriff shall then give notice by advertising in a newspaper of general circulation within the parish, setting forth the fact of the taking of possession, a description of the livestock, that the owner is unknown or if known, that he cannot be located. This advertisement shall notify any person claiming to be the owner of such livestock to appear before the sheriff at a place named and a time not less than three (3) days nor more than six (6) days from the date of notice to prove such claim of ownership. If the owner appears and proves to the satisfaction of the sheriff that he is the owner of the stock impounded, the sheriff shall require the owner to pay the fee of the person taking the livestock, the cost of feeding and caring for the livestock at the rates hereinabove specified, and the cost of advertisement.

(b)

If, after the notice provided for herein, the owner does not appear at the time specified the sheriff shall proceed to sell such impounded livestock in the manner provided in subsection (c).

(c)

The sheriff shall advertise in a newspaper of general circulation in the parish where the sale is to take place, the fact of such sale, the date and place of the sale. The place of the sale shall be at the courthouse, or at some other public place in the vicinity of the courthouse and the sale shall be made not less than ten nor more than twenty (20) days after publication of one notice of said sale. Said sale shall be by auction to the last and highest bidder for cash. From the price of said sale the sheriff shall deduct the fee of the person impounding the livestock at the rates hereinabove specified, and all expenses incurred in the sale. He shall pay to the person taking up the livestock the fee due him and the person feeding and caring for the livestock the fees provided for such services and the remainder shall be paid into the treasury of the council.

(Ord. No. 93, § 4, 5-23-68)

State law reference

Similar provisions, R.S. 3:3005, 3:3006.